Iowa Bills

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 15, 2026

HSB 690: A bill for an act concerning the beer barrel tax, and including effective date provisions.

This bill changes Iowa's beer tax structure by creating two distinct tax rates based on where beer is manufactured. It imposes a $1.86 tax per 31-gallon barrel for beer made in U.S. breweries (defined as facilities located in the United States) and a $5.89 tax per barrel for imported beer (defined as beer manufactured and imported from outside the U.S.). The tax applies to wholesale sales and imports within Iowa, but exempts beer shipped out of state or transferred between permittees. The bill takes effect only after the federal government approves the tax rate difference, as specified in the contingent effective date clause.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SF 2460: A bill for an act providing for the rural veterinarian loan repayment program, including by allowing a loan repayment recipient to exclude net income attributable to loan payments received under the program.

This bill creates a program to repay student loans for veterinarians who practice in rural shortage areas or rural service commitment areas for four consecutive years. It directly affects veterinarians who commit to working in underserved rural communities by providing loan repayment assistance. The key provision allows recipients to exclude the amount of loan repayment received from their taxable income, with limits of $15,000 per tax year and $60,000 total over the program period, not exceeding their actual outstanding loan balance. This change simplifies tax reporting for participants without altering the core practice commitment requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SF 2213: A bill for an act providing for an assignment of assets for the benefit of creditors, exempting the related tax on the transfer of real estate, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2213 establishes Iowa's "Uniform Assignment for Benefit of Creditors Act," creating a legal process for debtors (individuals or businesses with Iowa ties) to transfer all assets to a third party (assignee) to pay creditors. The key provision exempts real estate transfers made under this process from state transfer taxes, reducing costs for debtors using this method. It defines terms like "assignor" (the debtor), "assignee," and "assignment estate" to standardize the procedure. This bill directly affects Iowa residents and businesses seeking a structured debt resolution path without triggering real estate transfer taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SF 2431: A bill for an act relating to the appointment and duties of township officers and township budgets, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

SF 2431 updates Iowa law governing township officers and their financial management. It requires township clerks and other local officials (like city treasurers) to deposit funds only in Iowa-based banks, with limited exceptions for bonded debt payments. The bill also mandates that elected officials reside in their district for their entire term, revises election error procedures to grant governing bodies discretion on new elections, and adjusts rules for candidates running for multiple offices. These changes directly affect township officers, county officials, city treasurers, and candidates for local office in Iowa.

passed · Iowa · House Apr 14, 2026

HF 2752: A bill for an act relating to the teach Iowa scholar program, including modifying eligibility provisions and establishing funding allocations.

This bill modifies the Teach Iowa Scholar Program to change how state funding is distributed to teachers starting in the 2026 fiscal year. It mandates that 20% of the funds go to special education instructors and 50% go to teachers working in rural school districts, which are defined as those with fewer than 1,000 students. The legislation also clarifies that a single teacher cannot receive funding under both categories simultaneously, requiring the state department to assign them to only one group. These changes directly affect eligible classroom teachers in Iowa by altering the specific criteria and allocation percentages for the scholarship fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · Iowa · House Apr 14, 2026

HF 2753: A bill for an act relating to prison infrastructure.

This bill establishes a dedicated fund within the Iowa state treasury to finance the construction and infrastructure improvements of state prisons. It creates two specific accounts within this fund: one for building new prisons or replacing old facilities, and another for programs aimed at reducing inmate recidivism, such as mental health care and job training. The funding for these accounts will come from fines, fees, and forfeited bail collected in criminal cases, with specific portions allocated once existing prison bonds are paid off. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Corrections to submit annual reports on the status of all infrastructure projects and directs the legislature to form a committee to study the need for additional prison capacity.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SF 2449: A bill for an act relating to oil and gas production, including filing requirements, the authority of the department of natural resources, confidential information, and pooling orders.

SF 2449 updates Iowa's oil and gas regulations by requiring annual filings from producers with the Department of Natural Resources, including business details, organizational plans, and contact information. It establishes clearer rules for confidential information, allowing producers to protect certain data like lease terms, geological records, or commercial negotiations for up to five years. The bill also modifies pooling order rules to better define how wells are spaced in shared reservoirs, ensuring fair production sharing and preventing waste. These changes directly affect oil and gas companies operating in Iowa and the state's regulatory agency.

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 14, 2026

HF 726: A bill for an act providing for the implementation of battery stewardship plans, making appropriations, and providing penalties.

HF 726 requires battery producers and retailers in Iowa to implement approved recycling programs for most consumer batteries by 2028. It defines "covered batteries" (excluding medical devices, car batteries, and certain large batteries) and sets collection and recycling targets. Producers must mark batteries with their identity, and retailers cannot sell covered batteries without verifying the producer's plan is approved. The law mandates annual reporting on collection rates (batteries collected vs. sold) and recycling efficiency rates to ensure programs meet state goals.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SF 548: A bill for an act relating to the use of personal flotation devices on personal watercraft.

SF 548 requires all passengers on personal watercraft (like Jet Skis) in Iowa to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket (Type I, II, III, or V) while the craft is moving. It allows exceptions if the passenger is 18+ and the watercraft is traveling at 10 mph or less or in a no-wake zone. The bill directly affects all personal watercraft operators and passengers on Iowa waters. Violating this rule is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $30 fine. The law updates existing administrative rules into statute.

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 13, 2026

HF 2689: A bill for an act relating to the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2689 creates a sales tax holiday for clothing under $100 sold on July 3-5, 2026, in Iowa, exempting these purchases from state sales tax (with exclusions like sportswear and protective gear). It also establishes a task force to organize commemorative activities for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, including Capitol decorations, July 2026 events, an educational display honoring U.S. presidents, and Constitution Day school instruction on September 17, 2026. The bill affects Iowa residents purchasing qualifying clothing during the specified dates and requires public schools and state agencies to participate in anniversary programming. It does not alter tax rates permanently but provides a temporary exemption for a limited period.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 13, 2026

HF 2331: A bill for an act creating an attorney loan repayment program, and making appropriations.

HF 2331 creates a program to repay student loans for Iowa-licensed attorneys who practice law in the state. To qualify, applicants must be graduates of the University of Iowa College of Law, be licensed to practice in Iowa, and agree to work in Iowa for the duration of the program while providing at least 50 hours yearly of free legal services for low-income clients. The program prioritits attorneys in rural areas (defined as counties under 26,000 population more than 20 miles from a city of 50,000+ people) and provides up to $10,000 annually per attorney, capped at six years or their total eligible student loan balance. The state fund for this program, administered by the College Student Aid Commission, can accept private and public funds and is limited to assisting no more than 110 attorneys annually.

died · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2728: A bill for an act relating to obstructing first responders, and providing penalties.

This bill creates a new criminal offense for approaching or staying within 25 feet of first responders after they have issued a verbal warning not to approach. It directly affects individuals who might interfere with law enforcement officers, probation or parole officers, firefighters, or emergency medical providers performing their duties. The law prohibits approaching within the specified distance with the intent to impede the responder's work, threaten them with physical harm, or harass them. Violating this provision is classified as a serious misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine between $430 and $2,560. The bill defines harassment as conduct that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress without a legitimate purpose.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results